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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-06-11, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2009. People working or interested in the county’s tourism industry had the chance to learn more about the challenges and opportunities out there at a Huron Tourism Association special event in Blyth last Thursday night. Bill Allen, a former deputy- minister of culture, now president of Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, spoke on the report issued by the provincial government in February. Led by Greg Sorbara, the report focused on the competitiveness of tourism and laid out 20 recommendations to help the industry grow. In an interview prior to his speech, Allen explained what has been implemented and what tools those in the industry need to be aware of. At the top, he said, is the formation of 11 tourist regions in Ontario.” “There has been a lot of debate on whether these are needed, what value would be added,” he said, adding that 15 meetings were held across the province. “I expect we will be hearing the perspective on this.” Allen said that in the budget funds have been earmarked to be directed to regional associations. “So that’s immediately a critical issue. Now they’re trying to sort out the mandate and the associations’ role.” Allen said that there are currently local groups in Huron to market and promote and there is a question as to whether these will continue. “However, these associations are not intended to take over or absorb existing groups. But it begs the question what will they do, and we don’t have the answer yet.” Allen said TIAO hopes to sit down with government representatives and “hopefully influence what the regional associations will do.” “We don’t want duplication. We don’t want a level of bureaucracy that gets in the way.” Another recommendation that Allen highlighted was the attraction of investment to local tourism. “It’s been a lot of time since money has come to tourism.” The time is here to renew, refresh and reinvent the industry, he said, noting that without it, visitors soon take a “been there, done that” attitude. “We need to inject more money in the industry, to offer something different to keep people returning.” The recommendations are a fair balance of urban and rural focus. “They may lean one way or another, but are generally independent of location. Some do focus on government-owned tourist places, which tend to be urban, but otherwise they are very generic.” Allen also offered the importance of a long-term perspective for an industry that tends to have a short- term focus. “They will worry about how many heads they have in the beds for this night, but one thing the study revealed is the need for long- term vision. Without it, you will tend to react to what’s happening in the market.” Allen shared some views on what was in store for the tourism industry this year, with many people worried about the impact of the soft economy. “We can speculate, and obviously we’re hoping for the best, but the reality is that in a soft economy, globally, people will travel less.” There is a silver lining to this perhaps, he added. “What it means is that visitors outside the province might be down in numbers, but on the plus side, there will be more Ontarians travelling in Ontario.” The result is that as an industry there should be more of a focus on the domestic market. “This year, there will still be marketing outside the province, but we will be putting a lot of emphasis on keeping Ontarians in Ontario.” TIAO president discusseschallenges, opportunities BILL ALLEN HTA guest speaker Time to read Robert Laycox, 10, of Seaforth, enjoys a book while waiting at the annual Blyth Festival book sale held this past weekend. (Vicky Bremner photo) By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen Classified advertisements published in The Citizen are now available on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca